Ryder Cup upset as McIlroy and Garcia flop

Europe are still odds-on favourites with Coral at 4/6 to lift the trophy the USA despite trailing 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 after the first round of matches at the Ryder Cup.

World number one Rory McIlroy was partnered with Sergio Garcia and, with both enjoying consistent seasons, they were well-fancied to beat USA’s Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley; however, the Northern Irishman’s putting game wasn’t up to his usual standard. To give them credit, the Americans performed well, and it was Mickelson who sunk the winning put. Garcia and McIlroy will have to make sure they don’t have sand in their shoes after both finding the bunker, while Mickelson’s smile might stay on his face all weekend.

Victor Dubuisson and Greame McDowell, however, are currently underway against Mickelson and Bradley, and will be hoping they have better luck than their teammates. The European duo are 6/5 to win, while the Americans are 11/10 to claim their second win of the day.

Europe’s best performing duo was undoubtedly Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, who beat Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson and were consistent and professional throughout, applying a sensible percentage game throughout.

Perhaps the most impressive pairing came were American rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed who managed to get the better of Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher and Ryder Cup favourite Ian Poulter. Reed has faced criticism coming into the tournament, after he was greeted with hysterics when he claimed he was a top five golfer earlier this year, and has been accused of not being a team player.

“Did it upset me? No, I let a lot of things go and brush it off my shoulder,” Reed said.

“Golf is an individual sport. I go to the golf course on a normal basis, I get out there in the morning, I pop in my headphones just to kind of get myself focused on to what I’m trying to do while I’m out there.

“This week is completely different. This week, we have had so much fun with all the guys. Just a lot of activities we’ve been doing and all that kind of stuff.”

Meanwhile, in the last match of the first session, Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer tied with Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker, in a game they really should have won. The American pairing now face McIlroy and Garcia next, with the European duo odds-on at 8/11 to comeback in style.